8 Irish Festivals You’ll Want to Check Out This Summer

Ireland’s brief sunny season is upon us at last, so start laying your plans right now to make the most of your window of opportunity. While the country’s biggest festivals will surely already be on your radar, we thought we’d highlight a few of the island’s lesser known gems, with a little something to suit everybody. It’s time to get your culture on!

Making its debut, All Together Now is set to be a real treat this summer. John Reynolds, one of the founders of Electric Picnic, is the promoter behind the event so it’s set to be a good one! Situated on the picturesque grounds of Curraghmore House in Co. Waterford, you can expect music from the likes of Fleet Foxes and Underworld, spoken word performances, comedy, theatre, debate, art and workshops. And what’s more? It takes place during the August bank holiday weekend.When? August 3-5

Now in its ninth year, this family-friendly festival takes place at Beaulieu House and Gardens in Co. Louth and celebrates the campervan lifestyle, the beauty of Ireland’s outdoors and the quality of our nation’s talent. While the festival has grown around campervans, you don’t need to own one to attend as there’s a campsite that any attendee can avail of. Acts like La Galaxie, The Stunning, RSAG, Hot Sprockets, Loah and many more will be performing at the event this year.When? June 1-3

Lovers of contemporary and traditional bluegrass as well diverse styles of folk music won’t want to miss this event organised by seasoned musicians for the discerning listener. Having earned a reputation among fans of these musical genres as an unmissable event in its 11 years of existence, you can expect great gigs, workshops, masterclasses and more.When? June 8-10

Adults and the little ones will enjoy this event in equal measure. This fun, free summer festival explores the hidden depths of the sea, delving into topics from shipwrecks and mysterious creatures to seafood fairs and boat tours. There’s literally something for all the family to enjoy.When? June 29-July 1

As the name suggests, here we have a carnival for you to enjoy… and one of epic proportions. There’ll be food, bar and chill areas, live performances and DJs, art installations and natural escapes, and a barrage of entertainment options to keep the kids busy. We can almost hear that organ grinder already…When? July 20-22

An International Street Art festival started by The Walls Project. Each year, Waterford City is transformed into an open-air gallery where over 50 artists are invited to get creative! This event takes place over the duration of 9 days, where you can wander the streets of Waterford City and soak up the incredible talented artists (including James Earley) at work.When? August 17-26

This two-day event is a celebration of electronic music and digital visual arts featuring talent from the Republic of Ireland, the North and around the world. Taking place in S13 Warehouse Belfast, you can expect appearances from performers like Jeff Mills & Guillaume Marmin, Marcel Dettmann, Bicep, Ben UFO, Denis Sulta, Midland, Moxie and Job Jobse, as well as a conference with key artists including Leftfield, Jeff Mills and Renaat Vandepapeliere.When? June 1-2